Better by Design aims to help New Zealand companies make world class design a bigger differentiator for their products and services in export markets.

Better by Design is part of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and offers a programme of practical programmes and support to help New Zealand export companies improve their design capability. This includes design audits and mentoring for approved companies, funding for specific design initiatives for audited companies, education courses, design education internships for final-year students and new graduates, and a range of information resources and events.

Great graphic design and quality printing are essential before fine paper stock can fulfil its potential. Our continued sponsorship of the Best Design Awards cements our support for the design community throughout New Zealand.

The BJ Ball Group place a high importance on products that are environmentally responsible, and urge our customers, when specifying papers for their communications, to consider the nature in which these stocks are manufactured, for the sake of the environment. With this in mind, we offer an extensive and varied portfolio of papers that fit a broad spectrum of environmental requirements.

The Department seeks to ensure that New Zealanders have access to quality homes and buildings that meet their needs and reflect the environment. It takes a big picture approach, covering all aspects of buildings and their use, from design and construction through to living and renting.

The Department’s responsibilities include ensuring laws relating to the building and housing sector are effective and are complied with; providing a wide range of building-related information and guidance; assisting with dispute resolution – for example, involving building consent, weathertightness or tenancy issues; working with the sector to improve professional standards, skills and behaviour; and providing policy advice to the Government.

The Department is based in Wellington, with service delivery staff in numerous locations around the country, and a small number of Weathertight Homes Resolution Services staff in Auckland.

The Department of Building and Housing is proud to support the Best Design Awards 2010.

Design is everywhere. It can be seen in diverse areas such as civil engineering, architecture, furniture, consumer goods and apparel. Design can be seen in visual communications – on the web, television and print.

Let’s face it, some designs don't hit the mark and many could be considered as mediocre. There are only a few designs which can be truly classed as exceptional.

At GEON, we understand the importance of great design.

GEON is a leading print and communication company with 12 branches throughout New Zealand. Bringing the same consistent passion and energy to every project, the team pride themselves on delivering innovative and strategic print solutions to meet the expectations of our design partners and clients. On a daily basis we work with clients to increase prominence in the marketplace by consistently communicating and strengthening their brand.

GEON is delighted to support this year’s Best Design Awards. Recognising and applauding great design helps talented Kiwi designers gain national and international exposure. Exposure that is good for designers and the country.

Massey University's College of Creative Arts has made a vital contribution to the creative sector of the nation for nearly 125 years.

Based in Wellington and Auckland, the College has produced some of the country's best-respected designers across the full spectrum of specialist areas celebrated by the BeST Design Awards. Many of these have been instrumental in shaping New Zealand's national identity through iconic imagery, or contributing to its economic growth through the creation of original and desirable designs.

Today their teaching and research programmes reinforce the College's position as a leader and demonstrates their commitment to creative excellence.'

Methven is a proactive design-led New Zealand company with a vision to be a world leader in the design and supply of the ultimate showering experience. Founded in 1886, Methven is a public company, whose stock is traded on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. Methven is the market leader in New Zealand with a 40% market share and one of the leading brands in Australia with 30% market share and growing. The Methven Group markets around 2,000 different models of tap and showerware and valves, distributed in New Zealand, Australia, USA and UK.

Methven represents contemporary New Zealand design, delivering world class products that are distinctive, attractive, functional, efficient and fit consumers’ needs. Methven is currently the holder of 19 patents for the design and development of shower products, hot water heater valves, and water saving products.

MINI is driven by design. As one of the most iconic vehicles on the planet, MINI continues to successfully challenge modern conventions and break the mould through true emotive design and innovation. At the same time, MINI remains consistent in keeping with the original concept, character and flair from the Sir Alec Ignossis creation of 1959 to the highly successful BMW Group re-invention of the brand in 2001.

MINI offers people more than just a car, it's a lifestyle choice that exudes confidence, creativity and style, whilst remaining unconventional and unique.

MINI is passionate about design, and that's why we are proud to be associated with the 2010 Best Design Awards.

ProDesign is the official magazine of the Designers Institute of New Zealand. It is unique in reflecting the interdependence of the three core commercial design disciplines: spatial, product and graphic design. With a reputation as the hub and mouthpiece of the design industry, it is read and respected by top decision-makers and specifiers in these professions, and also by their clients.

ProDesign is a truly eclectic, inclusive, positive magazine that attracts and maintains the genuine enthusiasm of its readers through a mix of content, size and style. ProDesign is integral, and contributes much to the success of the programmes set in place for many of our top design awards.

We are proud to be one of the sponsors of this year's Best Design Awards.

Welcome to The Pond. We’re a creative collective representing New Zealand’s best freelance designers, art directors, writers and digital people servicing the needs of the design and digital industries.

To our members (first and foremost) we offer a model that helps them find creative independence. To everybody else we offer a way to tap into NZ’s top contract creativity. Think of our creative resource as a tap that you can turn on and off as needed – it’s the ultimate in flexibility really.

When you call us we take care of everything from booking and bartering to the billing. And because we have a huge depth of resource, you can always trust us to find the right person (or people) for the job. If you'd like to book one (or two) of us, brief in a project or join our creative ranks, come round and have a chat.

We strongly believe in people finding creative independence, so to give our support we’ve got behind the Best Awards 2010. www.thepond.co.nz